National Forest Products Week is held beginning the third Sunday of October, as designated by President Eisenhower and recognized by every sitting U.S. President after him. It is during this week that the nation recognizes the importance of forests and forest products to our day-to-day lives and our future. This year, the week is designated the week of October 16th.
Actively and well-managed forests provide clean air and water, fish and wildlife habitat, as well as recreational benefits. Forests improve the lives of humans and wildlife by providing renewable, sustainable, plant-based alternatives to plastics, concrete, and fossil fuels, thus making a positive impact on climate change. Forests stabilize the soil and protect the waterways. One third of the world’s largest cities get their drinking water from forests. By filtering pollutants from the air, trees decrease the severity of asthma attacks as well as contribute to improving mental health.
As timber and pallet suppliers, you are not only having an impact on the world through the products you produce, but the care you and your suppliers provide the forests will impact future generations to come. Globally, about 1.6 billion people, or over twenty-five percent, rely on forest resources, globally. Fuelwood and charcoal are the main sources of energy for two billion people worldwide, as well as two billion people relying on forests for their medicinal needs.
The products produced from our forests are sustainable and have the ability to be recycled or composted, returning vital nutrients to the earth. Living trees provide food products such as fruits and nuts, as well as store much needed CO2 and essential oils beneficial for our bodies and fighting disease. Beyond wood for manufacturing, pallets and shipping crates, trees give us rubber, pulp for paper and medicine. Wood chips and sawdust can be converted into products such as concrete forms, dry process hardboard, fuel, and particle board.
According to the American Forest and Paper Association, the forest products industry employs 950,000 people, producing $300 billion in products annually. It is one of the top ten manufacturing sector employers in the United States. The industry is the source for year-round employment and well-paying jobs in rural communities. Two million jobs are supported through the supply chain. The forest products industry accounts for about 4% of manufacturing GDP.
As contributors to one of the world’s top industries, we are all tasked with protecting our forests and supporting the products of harvesting. We can play an integral role in sustaining the economy, health, and physical well-being of our country and planet. Here’s to all the forest products heroes who are making a difference.
